Sensing an operating parameter of a target concealed from a sensor by an interposed component

ABSTRACT

An assembly that includes a target component mounted for rotation about an axis, a sensor mounted adjacent the inner member and directed toward the inner member to measure the rotational speed of the target component and an outer component interposed between the sensor and the target component. Low magnetic permeability of the outer component is assured by appropriate selection of the material, maintaining the concentration of martensite in the outer component below a reference concentration as indicated by certain reference indices such as the Instability Function, and/or by maintaining the temperature at which a stamping operation is performed on the inner member above a pre-determined temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of sensing an operating conditionwhen the target is concealed from a sensor by another component.

Currently electronic transmission controls rely on accurate informationregarding the rotational speed of transmission components located withina case. The speed signals are used as input information to sophisticatedpowertrain control algorithms. The speed of most components in the casecan be accessed directly by magnetic sensing devices, but occasionallysuch access can only be obtained upon relocating the target componentadjacent a sensor. Frequently these relocations compromise the powerflow arrangement in the transmission and add cost and complexity to themechanical design, hydraulic actuation and electronic controls. Indirectaccess using surrogate speeds in combination with algorithmic correctivecalculations, in place of the true target speed, sacrifices responsetime and accuracy.

When the target component has interposed between it and the speed sensoranother component formed of ferrous metal, magnetic flux exchangebetween the sensing device and the surface profile of the target elementwill be attenuated. To avoid this difficulty it is preferable that theinterposed component have low magnetic permeability while providing highstructural strength.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,176 describes an apparatus in which the speed of arotating inner member is represented by a signal produced by a speedsensor located adjacent the outer surface of an outer member, whichcovers at least partially the inner member. The outer member is formedwith a pattern of angularly and axially spaced windows through itsthickness. These windows provide intermittent direct access of amagnetic flux path from the sensor to the target component andinterrupted direct access as each window rotates past the flow path.

In an alternate approach using non-magnetic material for the interposedelement, a high cost magnetic ring is pressed onto the target componentin order to provide sufficient magnetic signal penetration through theinterposed outer component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention produces a time varying electrical signal thatrepresents rotational speed, or another suitable operating variable ofthe target component, the signal being used for electronic transmissioncontrol. Interposed between the signal-producing sensor and the targetcomponent is a second component having low magnetic permeability, whichpermits uninterrupted passage of magnetic flux between the sensor andtarget.

One embodiment of the present invention for producing a signalindicating rotational speed, includes a target component mounted forrotation, a second component having a portion thereof at least partiallyoverlapping the target component; and a sensor including a coil and amagnet generating a flux path extending through said portion of thesecond component to said target component, the flux path having amagnetic reluctance that varies with rotation of the target component,the coil carrying a signal generated in response to changes in saidreluctance, the signal having a predetermined pear-to-peak amplitude anda frequency indicative of the rotational speed of the target component.

A system for determining a rotational speed of a target componentaccording to the present invention includes another component having atleast a portion surrounding the target component and being formed ofmaterial having a relative magnetic permeability equal to or less than25.0, a magnetic source generating a magnetic flux path within which thetarget component and second component are located, rotation of thetarget component causing changes in a characteristic of the magneticflux path, a detector generating a position signal that varies inresponse to changes in said characteristic, and a controller fordetermining a rotational speed of the target component based on valuesof said position signal over time.

Because the interposed element must also carry relatively largedrivetrain torque loads, the material of that component has highstructural strength and is readily welded without loss of strength andwithout adversely affecting the function of the sensor.

Another advantage of the present invention is avoiding need to relocatecomponents in order that a sensor has direct access to a target.Instead, the target component may be covered or otherwise concealed fromthe sensor, thereby avoiding the complexity and increase variable costsand manufacturing cost that such component relocation causes.

The interposed, concealing or covering component according to thepresent invention may be formed of stainless steel that is resistant tomartensite formation, which is a crystalline phase transformation thatfrequently occurs when a component of stainless steel is formed bystamping. The mechanical strength of the interposed element according tothe present invention is high and provides the opportunity to minimizethe thickness and weight of that element. The possibility of deformingthe part is eliminated because no post-stamping heat treatment isrequired.

No separate magnetic ring mounted on the target element is required toenhance the magnetic flux transfer through the speed sensor. Aconventional splined surface profile on the target element, or anothertooth profile, provides sufficient signal excitation. Importantly, thereis no need to compromise the optimal power flow through the transmissionby relocating components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram representing a cross section through of aportion of an automatic transmission showing a speed sensor, targetcomponent and outer component.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the target component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross section taken at plane 3—3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken at plane 4—4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the outer component.

FIG. 6 is a cross section taken at plane 6—6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view showing the location of the speed sensor andtarget component with an outer component moved axially to uncover thetarget.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross section of the sensor about a central plane.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically represent the flux paths generated by thesensor.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a system for determining therotational speed of the target.

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating the temperature dependence of martensiteformation at various magnitudes of plastic strain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to FIG. 1, the components of a transmission 10 are enclosedin a transmission case 12, which may be formed with a locally increasedwall thickness at a boss 14. A speed sensor 16 is mounted on thetransmission case at the boss by a bolt 18 passing through a flange 20extending from the sensor. The bolt engages threads 21 tapped into thethickness of boss 14. Interposed between sensor 16 and the outer surfaceof a forward clutch cylinder 22, the target component whose speed ofrotation is to be determined, and sensor 16 is a shell 24 having aradial disc 26. The shell is welded or riveted at 28 to a reverse sungear wheel 30, and includes an axially directed arm 32 extending betweensensor 16 and the outer surface of cylinder 22.

Sensor 16 provides a surface 52 adapted to receive an electricalconnector that latches to the sensor at 54 and completes an electricalconnection with terminals (not shown) connected to a coil of the sensor.

Shell 24 rotates at a different speed than that of cylinder 22 undermost operating conditions, and it may be stationary or synchronous withcylinder 22 at other conditions. The location of shell 24 between sensor16 and target cylinder 22 presents a problem using conventionaltechnology for producing an electric signal produced by the sensorrepresenting the speed of the target.

Referring now to FIGS. 2–4, the forward clutch cylinder 22 is formedwith a radial web 40 that extends radially outward in a series of stepsto an axially directed flange 44. Located on the outer surface of flange44 are angularly spaced spline teeth 46, each tooth extending radiallyoutward between successive lands 48, located between each of thesplines. The crest of each spline is also formed with a radiallydirected rib 50. In this way the air gap located between the insidesurface of the sensor 16 and the outer surface of cylinder 22 varies inlength as the spline teeth 46 and lands 48 pass under the sensor whilecylinder 22 rotates about its axis. The material of the target component22 may be any material including a broad range of highly magneticferrous materials, preferably SAE J403 1010 low carbon steel.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a detailed configuration of the second component orshell 24, which includes a radial disc 26 and an axially directed flange32 extending from the disc. The material of the second component 26 isselected as described below.

In order to show clearly the target component 22, FIG. 7 shows thesecond, outer component 24 moved axially rightward along axis 62 fromthe as-assembled position, which shown best in FIG. 1. Clutch cylinder22 and shell 24 rotate about axis 22. As assembled, flange 32 covers thetarget component and blocks the direct path between the sensor 16 andtarget 22.

The sensor is directed toward the interior of case 12 and is locateddirectly, radially above target cylinder 22. FIG. 8 shows schematicallythe sensor in cross section. The sensor is preferably a variablereluctance speed sensor that includes a magnet 68 having magneticallyopposite poles, an iron pole piece 70, and an inductive coil 74 that iswound around a plastic bobbin 76. The coil and bobbin surround the polepiece 70 so that magnetic flux change generated by the magnet and teeth46 generates a corresponding electrical signal in the coil. The coilincludes a pair of lead wires 84 connected to a controller 82 (shown inFIG. 11) having a signal conditioning circuit or programmed logic forprocessing the electrical signal generated by the sensor 16, anddetermining from that signal 80 the rotational speed of target 22.

As the target component rotates, the spline teeth 46 rotate past thesensor 16 causing a sinusoidal variation in the flux due to changes inreluctance. This variation in reluctance, and therefore flux, generatesa frequency and amplitude variation in the electrical signal generatedon the coil of the sensor. The frequency of that signal is directlyrelated to the rotational speed of the target component 22.

By selecting appropriate material for the second component such that thematerial has a relatively low concentration of martensite, its magneticpermeability is low. Therefore, the signal induced in the coil of thesensor is substantially unaffected by the presence of the secondcomponent, which is essentially magnetically transparent to the sensor.

FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically represent the flux path generated by themagnet 68 in the vicinity of the target component 22 and secondcomponent 24. FIG. 9 shows one of the teeth 46 of the target componentangularity aligned with the sensor's pole piece 70. Flux generated bythe magnet flows from the pole piece 70 through the material of thesecond component portion 32, which overlaps the target 22, along theaxially directed teeth 46 on the outer surface of the target component22, and back to the opposite pole end of the sensor 16.

FIG. 10 illustrates schematically the flux path generated by the sensorand passing in the land 48 between alternate teeth 46 on the target 22.The flux path is the same as the flux path shown in FIG. 9, except thatthe reluctance of the target component to flux is changed because,rather than being aligned with a tooth 46 on the target component, thesensor is now aligned with a land 48 between successive teeth on thetarget component 22. This change in the reluctance, and therefore flux,causes a corresponding change in the output signal generated on the coil74 of sensor 16.

The rotational speed of the target 22 is determined from the signalgenerated in the coil, which is connected to an appropriate signalconditioning device, which may include a microprocessor for analyzingthe signal. As FIG. 11 shows, the voltage signal 80 generated by sensor16 varies sinusoidally with time and has a predetermined amplitude 86(preferably about 240 mV). The amplitude is recognizable by, andcompatible with the signal conditioning circuit of a controller 82 thatconverts the signal induced in coil 74 to the rotational speed of target22. The signal 80 is monitored continually by the controller. The stateof the sampler goes high or to 1 each time the sampled voltage reaches+240 mV, and that time is recorded. Similarly the state goes low or tozero each time the sampled voltage reaches −240 mV. The controller 82maintains a running count of the number of high states and low states.Electronic memory accessible to the controller stores the number ofteeth 46 on the target component, which in a preferred example is 34teeth per revolution. The controller 82 uses the length of the periodbetween the occurrence of 34 high states to determine the speed ofrotation of the target 24 and to produce a digital signal representingthat speed, which is carried on line 88 to a powertrain control module90. This speed information is used to control various functions of thetransmission including electronically controlled gear ratio changes.

A magnetic field is produced due to the presence of the permanentmagnetic located in the sensor 16. As cylinder 22 rotates, the magneticfield expands and collapses continuously as the splines 46 and lands 48rotate pass the sensor. This expansion and collapse of the magneticfield induces in the coil an electrical signal having an acceptablevoltage amplitude and a frequency that is an accurate measure of therotational speed of cylinder 22. The controlling factors affecting themagnitude of the induced voltage are the magnet strength, coil turns,rotational speed of the target 22, air gap, diameter of the targetwheel, and the material of the component 24 interposed between sensor 16and target cylinder 22. Preferably the sensor produces a signal whosepeak-to-peak magnitude is greater than ±240 mV (480 mV peak-to-peak)when the speed of the target 22 is 450 rpm. Depending on therequirements of the electronic system that receives and processes thesignal produced by sensor 16, such as a powertrain control module for amotor vehicle, other acceptable peak-to-peak magnitudes of the sensorsignal include ±72 mV (144 mV peak-to-peak) and ±160 mV (320 mVpeak-to-peak).

A sensor capable of producing an acceptable output signal magnitude is avariable reluctance sensor available from HI-STAT Manufacturing, adivision of StoneRidge, Inc. of Novi, Mich., the sensor havingStoneRidge part number PN 8624-201. The sensor may be an electromagneticsensor, a Hall-type sensor (such as Allegro ATS640-two-wire), or amagneto-resistive MR-type sensor.

Acceptable materials for the outer component 32 include, by way ofexample but not limitation, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, andother materials having a relative magnetic permeability, relative tothat of air, in the range of 1.0–25.0. Austenitic stainless steel isgenerally acceptable for the outer component provided suitable steps aretaken to maintain relative magnetic permeability equal to or less than25.0. Martensite concentration of stainless steel and other materialsprovides another indication of the acceptability of a material for theportion 32 of the second component 24 that is located between the sensor16 and target component 22. Ferritic stainless steel, which is magnetic,is preferably avoided because its relative magnetic permeability exceeds25.0. Martensitic stainless steel, which is also magnetic, is preferablyavoided unless its martensite concentration is low, or its relativemagnetic permeability is less than 25. These factors affect the abilityof the sensor 16 to generate a signal having an acceptable peak-to-peakamplitude without excessive electrical noise.

Although austenitic stainless steel is nonmagnetic, it is susceptible tochanges in crystalline structure during forming operations, particularlydue to stamping. These changes in crystalline structure increase itsmartensite concentration. Therefore, care should be taken, as disclosedand described below, in selecting a stainless steel material for thesecond component 32, during its forming operations, and after forming toassure that the martensite concentration of the second component 24 willnot prevent the sensor from generating an acceptable signal, one that iscompatible with the requirements of the control system to which it isinput.

The presence of martensite in the second component 24 blocks the flow offlux from the sensor magnet 68 to the target component 22 and lowerssensor voltage output. In addition, the degree of magnetism present inthe second component 24 has only a slight influence on the magnitude ofvoltage output by the sensor. The shell 24 is a stamped part, and thestamping operation itself affects the concentration of martensite nearthe stamped metal. Furthermore, the temperature of the metal of thesecond component 24 when it is stamped also influences the concentrationof martensite in the shell 24. As FIG. 12 shows, the concentration ofmartensite declines gradually with increasing temperature of the metalbeing stamped, and that concentration rapidly declines when thetemperature of the material when stamped is in the approximate range−50° C. to +25° C.

When the material of the second component 24 is stainless steel, itsmartensite concentration can be predicted with reference to aninstability factor, I (f), determined from the following equation, (1):I(f)=(37.19)−51.25(% C)−2.59(% Ni)−1.02(% Mn)−0.47(% Cr)−34.4(% N),wherein the symbols represent the concentrations by weight of carbon,nickel, manganese, chromium and nitrogen, respectively, in the material.This equation was published in U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,320.

Alternatively, the martensite concentration in the metal of the secondcomponent can be predicted from the martensite deformation, MD (30),which is determined from the following equation (2): MD (30)=(413)−462(%C+% N)−9.2(% Si)−8.1(% Mn)−13.7(% Cr)−9.5(% Ni)−18.5(% Mo), andMartensite Formation M_(s), which is determined from the followingequation (3): M_(s)=75(14.6−% Cr)+110(8.9−Ni)+60(1.33−Mn)+50(0.47−Si)+3000[0.068−(C+N)]. Equations (2) and(3) appeared in the ASTM Specialty Handbook For Stainless Steel, 3dEdition, August 1999, published by ASTM International.

It has been discovered that if I (f) is less than 2.9, and thetemperature at which component 24 is stamped from stainless steel isgreater than approximately 32° F., then the martensite concentration inthe second component adjacent the sensor (as measured by a ferritescope) is less than 30 percent, and the peak-to-peak voltage magnitudeof the signal produced by the sensor is within an acceptable range. Ifthe stamping temperature is increased, then the instability factor andits corresponding martensite concentration can be increased, and thepeak-to-peak voltage magnitude of the signal produced by the sensor iswithin an acceptable range. In another example of the application of thepresent invention, wherein I (f) is less than 1.0, and the minimumtemperature of the material when stamped is greater than 50° F., theconcentration of martensite in the stainless steel is less than 15percent, and the peak-to-peak voltage magnitude of the signal producedby the sensor is within an acceptable range. Preferably, the material ofshell 24 is AISI 304 low carbon stainless steel.

A method for producing the second component, the shell 24, includesobtaining a certification of the concentrations of the various alloyelements in the sheet stock from which component 24 is to be stamped.Next, the instability factor is calculated using equation (1) and themartensite concentration is predicted from the magnitude of I(f). Thenshell 24 is stamped from flat sheet stock provided its stampingtemperature is greater than a temperature that would produce amartensite concentration in component 22 at the sensor exceeding amartensite concentration that would result in an output signal from thesensor outside an acceptable range. Next, a ferrite scope or magneticpermeability meter can be used to measure the concentration ofmartensite in the second component at the location of the sensor andtarget component. The shell can be secured at 28 by riveting or weldingto the gear wheel 30 without loss of structural strength and withoutadversely affecting the condition of the shell in the vicinity of thesensor. The shell is installed in the assembly, provided the ferritescope indicates the concentration of martensite will result in anacceptable sensor signal. If the ferrite scope check is not used, thenthe stamped shell can be installed in the assembly.

This process reduces the magnetic permeability of the shell so that itis magnetically transparent to the sensor. In this way the sensorproduces an electric signal whose frequency is a correct measure of therotational speed of the forward cylinder clutch 22.

Although the form of the invention shown and described here constitutespreferred embodiments of the invention, it is not intended to illustrateall possible forms of the invention. Words used here are words ofdescription rather than of limitation. Various changes in the form ofthe invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

1. An apparatus for producing a signal representing rotational speed,comprising: a target component supported for rotation; a sensor facingthe target; a second component interposed between the sensor and targetcomponent such that the target is continually hidden from view of thesensor by the second component, supported for rotation between thetarget and sensor, and formed of material having a relative magneticpermeability equal to or less than 25.0; and the sensor including a coiland a magnet generating a flux path extending through the secondcomponent to said target component, the flux path having a reluctancethat varies with rotation of the target component, the coil carrying asignal generated in response to changes in said reluctance, the signalhaving a frequency representing the rotational speed of the targetcomponent.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the signal has apredetermined amplitude, and said second component is made of materialthat has substantially no effect on the amplitude of said signal.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the signal has a predetermined amplitude,and said second component is made of material that has substantially noeffect on a magnitude of the reluctance of the flux path.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the material of the second component has aconcentration of martensite that is less than thirty percent.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein material of said second component is amember of the group consisting of aluminum, titanium and stainlesssteel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the target componentincludes an outer surface facing the sensor and having a plurality ofmutually spaced surface variations on the outer surface.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein said surface variations are radiallyextending teeth, each tooth spaced angularly from an adjacent tooth by aland, the distance between adjacent teeth being uniform andsubstantially equal.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnetgenerates a magnetic field, and the sensor further comprises a ferriticcore, and the coil is wound around the core.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said second component is stainless steel formed by stamping at atemperature greater than 32 degrees F.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said the second component is of stainless steel having aninstability factor that is less than 2.9 percent, and is formed bystamping at a temperature greater than 32 degrees F.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said the second component is of stainless steelhaving a concentration of martensite that is less than 15 percent, andis formed by stamping at a temperature greater than 50 degrees F. 12.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said the second component is formed ofstainless steel having an instability factor that is less than 1.0percent, and formed by stamping at a temperature greater than 50 degreesF.
 13. An apparatus for producing a signal indicating rotational speed,comprising: a target component mounted for rotation; a sensor; a secondcomponent supported for rotation between the target component and thesensor, continuously covering a path between the sensor and the targetcomponent, and formed of material having a relatively low magneticpermeability; and the sensor including a coil and a magnet generating aflux path extending through said portion of the second component to saidtarget component, the flux path having a magnetic reluctance that varieswith rotation of the target component, the coil carrying a signalgenerated in response to changes in said reluctance, the signal having afrequency indicative of the rotational speed of the target component.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the material of said secondcomponent has substantially no effect on an amplitude of said signal.15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the material of said secondcomponent has substantially no effect on magnetic reluctance of the fluxpath between the sensor and target component.
 16. A system fordetermining a rotational speed of a target component, the systemcomprising: a second component continuously blocking a path to thetarget component from a magnetic flux source, supported for rotationbetween the target component and the sensor, and formed of materialhaving a relative magnetic permeability equal to or less than 25.0; themagnetic flux source generating a magnetic flux path within which thetarget component and second component are located, rotation of thetarget component causing changes in a characteristic of the magneticflux path; a detector generating a position signal that varies inresponse to changes in said characteristic; and a controller fordetermining a rotational speed of the target component based on valuesof said position signal over time.
 17. A method for determining arotational speed of a target component the method comprising the stepsof: forming the second component of material having relatively lowmagnetic permeability; locating the second component between a sensorand the target component such that a path between the target componentand the sensor is continuously blocked by the second component;generating a magnetic flux path that passes from the sensor through thesecond component and extends to the target component, rotation of thetarget component causing a change in a characteristic of the magneticflux path; rotating the second component between the sensor and thetarget component; generating a signal that varies in response to achange in said characteristic; and determining a rotational speed of thetarget component based on values of said signal over time.
 18. Themethod of claim 17 further comprising the step of forming the targetcomponent of nonmagnetic material with teeth separated mutually byspaces located between the teeth.